Sorry for such a miserable topic first thing in the morning, but I've been thinking about this since a conversation (about medicine) last night. How do vets cope with putting down dogs? Do they burn out, or just see it as pat of the job? Is is harder for them to put down a dog like some of out sadly lost old ones of last week that were loved, and that they've known for many years, or to kill healthy young dogs for 'conveninience'. And how can they bring themselves to do the latter. Interested in what the vet nurses/ex-vet nurses think.

I have heard that vets can refuse to pts animals that are healthy ect

Rambs, I think in that case the RCVS (wrongly imo) censured the vet in question.

Having had dogs pts in the past by 'experienced' vets, I found them to be very efficient and 'distanced' from what they were doing. Maybe after a while, they have to *shut off* to be able to do their job? The young vet that gave Badger sleep was, if anything, overly efficient, but after the deed was done, he too was holding tight to his emotions. In the week leading up to Badgers death, the vet had said that *losing a patient* was the hardest thing a vet has to deal with.

Our local stray kennel take on average ten strays a week to be put to sleep they do try to home them first and contact all rescues but there are just so many unwanteds that they have no choice,I dont know how Vets cope :( but I must say after seeing the plight of some dogs they would certainly be better of dead than in a bad home.
When our Vet came to William both She and her helper were fighing back tears,then we all had a good weep after and sat with him on the floor So I agree they must switch off when necessary.

I know that both veterinary practices in my town have refused to pts healthy dogs.

A friend of my daughter was a bit of a silly boy when it came to dogs and got told so many times 'you're gonna get bitten one day if you keep this up' I never had my dogs out whilst he was in our house and told his parents why. One evening they were all around another friends house where an elderly springer lived and it happened the dog bite him on the face, scaring him. Parents were away and I was the next port of call boy did he get the sharp end of my tongue on the way to A&E, his parents wanted the dog pts and so did the owners.

Long and short of it was the dog owners tried both vets in town to get her pts and both refused especially when they found out how the bite had happend and they got a lecture from both practices on the responsibility of owners and parents. They now have her and a leonberger puppy bitch on terms - they asked me if I thought the terms were ok only after they'd agreed to them and signed their contract!

Sorry Sharon you lost me ( hard morning lol ) . Can you explain again ?

I know our vet Stuart is a dog owner as well. When he came out to Mars he made it such a dignified end for her and made what was a very hard time for us a lot more bearable. After she went to sleep he was very concerned that we were going to take her to the Pet cemetary and wanted to make sure we were alright to do it offering to take her up there for us as he could see we were extremly upset. He also made us feel happier that we had made the right choice for Mar's sake. He didn't show open emotion but you could see it was not in the ten of a vets job that he enjoyed. At the end of the day we know he is a vet that cares and I would imagine that I would like a vet like that than a vet who didn't show that they cared.

Lucy

He sounds like a wonderful man :)

Fiona
x x x

He is! I have never known a vet like him and have known quite a few ! :D (on a professional basis !!:D:D)

Lucy

When I worked as a vet nurse many moons ago the first euthanasia I had to see/assist with was 2 healthy dogs who's owner had died. The dogs wouldn't settle with anyone else and constantly pined for the owner. At the time I was so shocked that I just numbly assisted the vet, I couldn't even get upset because I couldn't understand the daughter having these 2 dogs pts. I was only 16 at the time so very inexperienced in many things. The vet listened to the daughter and respected her decision, she did seem very genuinely upset.

After that for me personally and many of the other vets a lot of the time it was just "not a nice part of our job" and sometimes (and this may be taken the wrong way) we were happy to do it because we felt it was the only way to help the poor suffering animal. Who we could see was in pain, or had no life or the life it did have was virtually non-existent. However there were many times when I would have to hold back my tears until after the event and then would hug and cry with the owner afterwards. At the time I found it strange that many owners took comfort in my tears but now having lost dogs myself I think I can understand.

After the event I would always make sure I "looked after" the animal, carrying it with care as if it were still alive and would often give it a wee kiss and say a few words. Probably for my benefit more than the animals. I think a lot of vets may appear to be uncaring when putting an animal to sleep but I think sometimes they just don't know how to cope with an owners grief and upset. I also feel that unless you have been in a position whereby you have lost a pet you can't really understand what the owner is going through.

Just my thoughts anyway :-)

My vet is very caring as well.
I have been waiting for a consultation for about half an hour after someone went in to have their dog pts. He eventually came out red eyed to carry on with his surgery.
When he came to my house to put my bitch to sleep he was armed with dog treats and sat on the floor with her for ages making sure she was completely at ease. I can't fault him. Two days later I got a lovely hand written letter from him saying what a lovely dog she was and a couple of little things that he remembered about her. It was a lovely touch and I have the greatest respect for him :)

I can't fault my vet when I had to have my 16 yo dog pts 2 years ago on christmas day. He met me at the surgery at 9am all dressed ready for any treatment had it been possible, offered to make the dog 'comrfortable' until after the hols if I wanted and then left me to decide and just be with him for the while to say goodbye. Kerry didn't like vets so was muzzled, my option again, and I will never forget the fact that before he went down the vet had whipped the muzzle off, then left me again to just be with him, before coming back to ask what I wanted to do with the body, they would keep it till after christmas so we didn't have to worry, I opted for cremation and the bill for the whole thing was only £55, no extra for the holiday call out. Considering the vet has young children and dogs of his own I found it very comforting that I wasn't rushed at all. Ingrid

Just to add to my own post, Nigel put Pixie down with all the care and dignity I'd expect from him. Then he called today unexpectetly with her ashes. I began to apologies for being such a wimp when she was put to sleep, and of course started to cry again. He made coffee and stayed and talked about her for at least 30 minutes. He has known her for almost all her life, but the things he could remember about her were amazing for someone who must see so many animals. One vet at least who isn't 'burned out'

HI Sharon

As some people know I used to be a veterinary nurse., and it is a hard job for both nurse and vet (if they have any love towards animals).. My first day, a jack russel puppy was run over by their owners., and I was devistated !! He was only 5 months old. The vets I used to work with all have compassion and respect., I have never come across a bad apple in the surgery that I use now and used to work for.

In relation to having the animals pts., it doesn't make it any easier, if its a dog that we had for 10 years or a young one of 18 months that the owner just couldn't deal with. This did happen to us/me. We had an 18month dobe brought in to be pts as the owner had 8 and couldn't cope with it. I pleaded with the vet for us to try and re home him., but as far as I am aware the vet has to abide by the wishes of the owner. Hence he was pts., and I assisted :( Never forget that day...it is very upsetting. You do get attached to the animals., and get upset when you don't have a happy ending. Whether they feel it is ethically right or wrong to put an heathly animal to sleep., they have to abide by the wishes. I know for a fact that at this particular time, the vet I was assisting did not want to do it., but he had an obligation to the owner...:(

Very sad...

Hi sis, my vet of twenty years retired last year:( Irreplacable!!! He cancelled his holiday flight one day to do a gastric torsion op on one of the wolfies. I had to have a pup of three weeks old pts in the middle of the night, and he gave me a cuddle while I sobbed on his shoulder. One year we had really deep snow ( unusual for down here) It was normally a ten minute drive to get here from the surgery, it took him an hour ( middle of the night again) but he still came out for me.Whenever one of the dogs died or was pts, I always got a hand written note from him, and if it was a pts situation, his eyes always used to fill up. He always gave bags of sympathy and reassurance, was a brilliant, brilliant surgeon, did aquapuncture and took so much time and trouble with all his patients. He always found the time to give them a stroke and a hug, before starting the examinations, and never ever asked for money upfront. He is very badly missed. If only there were more like him.

There are Phil - John, Nigel & Ewan - and boy do I know how lucky I am!

Sharon, cant find your original post, meant to answer before,Kloud drinks loads and loads too, but shes never still, so I suppose thats why!! :D Hows Ben doing btw?

Dreadful Phil:-(. As I told you our 'housesitter' was a disaster (I know I'm getting on, but at 19 I was never that irresponsible or lazy - and if I had been Mum would have killed me). She must have ignored poor little Ben totally and now he's worse than he was when he arrived. The other dogs were a bit straange too, and the cats half feral, but they've recovered, except sadly old Storm. Since Pixie died he has barely eaten. With Ben I've take Saraa's suggestion to heart, and while I haven't quite attached him to my belt, he's spending the vast amount of th day with me away from the other animals. The one good point is that he nis unbelievably trainable - sits, dows, fetches, rolls over, comes when called. Just no eye contact or cuddles :-(. Any ideas very welcome.

Hi sis, Im so sorry to hear that, poor little chap. This is what I would do, Im not saying its right ( before everyone tells me off) its just my opinion. I would pick him up, hold him on my lap, or lay on the sofa with him, and hug him, kiss him, stroke him, talk to him in a low gentle voice, and if he responded at all, even if only a look or a tiny kiss, I would give him a treat, or some food item that he really enjoys. Wherever possible, I would take him everywhere I went, even if only to the shops, to the bathroom, or in the garden, and keep a supply of treats in my pocket. At the slightest response from him, I would reward again. To any of you who think this is totally wrong, sorry, just my way. This breed learns soooo quickly, after the sight hounds , its quite an eye opener isnt it? Poor Storm, he is obviously missing his friend very much, do you think he would be happier if a had a like sized new friend, or would he better as he is, due to his age? Hope things improve for you xxx